County briefs for August 8, 2001

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 | 9:13 a.m.

Bovine fund-raiser launched for charities

Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny unveiled a fiberglass cow named St. Nicowlas on Tuesday to celebrate the introduction of a charity fund-raiser dubbed "CowParade Las Vegas 2002."

Patterned after programs in Chicago and New York, artists from across the country will paint the life-sized cows and put them up for adoption. Businesses and community leaders can sponsor a cow for $7,500, and proceeds will go toward United Way and other charities.

The cows, like St. Nicowlas, which was painted like Santa Claus, will eventually dot the valley.

Robinson to head new department

Christine Robinson, who oversaw the Health District's Air Quality Division, officially was named director of Clark County's new Department of Air Quality Management.

The new division was created after Gov. Kenny Guinn gave the county the authority to oversee air quality in Southern Nevada. His controversial decision angered city officials, who claim the county will have control over all development.

Robinson holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's in public administration.

Commission approves new ordinance

An ordinance that allows Clark County's public response office to remove graffiti without property owners' permission was approved Tuesday.

The law, permitted under a new state statute passed during the last legislative session, gives the county the freedom to remove graffiti on private property that faces thoroughfares. The county's graffiti abatement efforts had been hamstringed by a law that prohibited graffiti from being removed without a property owner's signature.

A second element to the new ordinance, which addressed graffiti on businesses, was delayed after business owners protested the first draft.

Advocacy office to be created

A senior citizens advocacy office, which will be under Clark County's Social Services Department, was unanimously approved by the County Commission Tuesday.

Commission Chairman Dario Herrera requested that the new office be created to address senior citizens' needs. The office will inform seniors on available services offered locally, through the state or through the federal government.

Herrera said the "one-stop" office will be more convenient for elderly residents who are often bounced around from City Hall to the County Government Center.

Rating system to be implemented

Parents looking for day-care providers might soon have help from Clark County, which is in the initial steps of creating a child care rating system.

Commissioners approved a report that gave the child care licensing division authority to oversee the rating system. Not only would the office provide information on child care facilities, but it would also offer educational programs.